A Peek at Spring

What a beautiful weekend! Ok I know it's STILL Cleveland and here...it's really STILL winter (the foot of snow still on the ground is proof), but the sun shone brilliantly for two days straight. The temps were over 40 degrees and people were strolling the sidewalks again. Just lovely.

So this 'tease' I'm calling shades of spring made me consider what is it that I am working on now that might bring on a feeling of spring. And the first thing that popped into my head was the vintage cookie tin I've decided to use to create a new jewelry line. First here is a picture of the tin I am referring to:


Beautiful right? A circa 1950s cookie tin from Holland. Imagine my reluctance to take a sharp pair of tin snips to this wonderful work of art. But I had this itch to create jewelry pieces using it's colors and patterns so holding my breath...I made the first cut.

By the way, tin is NOT easy to cut! It's sharp and stiff and cutting those tiny pieces for earrings and bracelets was ridiculously time consuming. But still I have to say...I sooooooo enjoyed it!

So here is my first attempt. The earrings having already sold within a week of listing. I see lots of improvement needed, but I think it will get better with each snip.



I am looking forward to more designs from this wonderful find and most certainly looking forward to spring!

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Catching up and Other Semi-Interesting Facts

I believe it to be quite possible that I am getting closer to being caught up after the whirlwind of activity here. My house guest of 2 weeks has flown back to New Jersey,my brother and his wife have driven back to Pennsylvania and I'm actually finding some time to hide out in my little creative place. Now I do have a show this Saturday that I am scrambling for, but I now having the breathing space to do so.

A reminder: the show is at Bela Dubby Coffeehouse & Art Gallery in Lakewood, Ohio from 12pm - 4pm. There is a wonderful group of artists & crafters from the greater Cleveland area who have made it a goal to sell handmade wares once a month at Bela Dubby. They call themselves The Cleveland Craft Coalition and I am honored to be invited to join them this Saturday. Of course that does mean I have to be ready!!!



In thinking about setting up my display this weekend I am reminded that I was
asked by Denise Savela of Joyful D*Signs what I am using as risers on my table.
I remember first realizing I was going to need them as my table was looking rather 'one-dimensional'. I had seen someone using cardboard boxes they had taped together then covered in pretty fabric, but I was afraid they would be too flimsy and not hold out for long. So Denise if your listening/reading...here is it.

I created (with some help from a rather familiar carpenter) two separate boxes of Masonite and 1"x2" pine strips. The sizes are different to create a better visual and I left the bottoms open to be able to stake them for storage and also utilize them when carrying smaller items to a show. We all know how essential additional storage can be! The sides were secured using screws, but that was only because that was what I had available. I'm sure regular carpet nails would have worked. Nothing fancy...and certainly not pretty, but when covered with a table cloth they are perfect!

Below are some pictures:

I don't have the exact measurements on me (I'd have to find the tape measure first), but if anyone is interested I can get those numbers. The risers sit on a 6' table with plenty of room on either side. See below:

Hope this helps Denise!

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New show announcement:

April 2, 2010

VA Hospital Craft & Artisan Show

Louis Stokes VA Medical Center
Wade Park
10701 East Blvd (118W)
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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Recently I was challenged by Janelle of Nomad Crafts Etc. to create a piece using
her very lovely lampwork beads. Of course I was happy to oblige! So Janelle sent
me 10 beautiful beads in blues and greens, and basically said - get creative -!
So even though I didn't use all the beads...and I added my own focal, I think it
worked out pretty good. Thank you Janelle!!!

And of course....new goodies!

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JANE!!! STOP THIS CRAZY THING!!!

What a whirlwind life I am currently having! Let's face it...I am a creature of habit, a lover of a schedule and a fan of solitude. Sure...I also welcome occsaional spontaneity and the company of family and friends, but in small amounts and in it's place. This last week has been c-c-c-crazy with activities and birthdays and company and shows and and and....

OK - so last Saturday was the Upstage Artisan Alley show. A small event put together with big hearts. Kudos to Joanna and Matt of CreativExpressions76 for pulling off a wonderful show that raised an impressive amount of money for the UpStage Players Children's Community Theater Company. Personally JBird's Garden had good sales and met lots of new people. I used the new jewelry displays for the first time and since it was the day before Valentines, I added some pretty pink and red hearts.



And while I was at the show I was also working my daughter Brooke's booth since she double booked at another show downtown. Then half way through my friend Michelle flew in from New Jersey for a 2 week visit. Whew...seems like enough so far. But wait!!!

Snowy, cold and a house full of people stuck inside for a week. Entertaining a house guest in the middle of winter when you still have a day job to get to is not an easy task! So evenings are devoted to being on my game, going out in the middle of the week and NOT tending to JBird's Garden tasks. The interesting part of this is Michelle is in town so we can share our mutual birthdays, which was yesterday. That apparently included (the spontaneous part) a Friday pre-birthday evening of over-indulgence -ahem- which led to bad (very bad) queasiness on the actual birthday. Ugh! Not good when you have dinner and music plans and a house full of people that still need...something! So when was the last time I did this? I can't even remember!!!

We did get to make a run though (before the party began) to - The Westside Market - Cleveland's oldest publicly owned market, which began in 1840. This is always the highlight of any day I get to go. The atmosphere and smells and sounds...the produce and meats and specialty foods...it's all sensory overload!


So one more week of company, one more year behind me, and yet one more lesson learned when it comes to Grand Marnier.


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New Shows Scheduled:

March 6th
12-4

bela dubby

Coffee shop/beer bar infused with an upbeat shot of entertainment.
Enjoy snacks, free wi-fi, and comfy vintage furniture too.

13321 Madison Ave
Lakewood, Oh 44107
216-221-4479

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May 8th
10am-6pm

ODDMALL

Oddmall is more than just an ordinary craft show. It's a celebration of uniqueness, creativity, imagination, and wonder where artists, crafters, and like-minded sorts gather to offer their unusual creations for public consumption.

Clarion Hotel and Conference Center (Akron area)
240 East Hines Hills Road
Hudson, Ohio 44236

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May 22 & 23

11am - dusk

Hessler Street Fair

An annual community arts and music festival, celebrating its 41st year on historic Hessler Street in Cleveland's University Circle.

Hessler Road is located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. It is a small one-way brick paved street running east from Ford Drive to Hessler Court.

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August 18th
10am - 6pm

University Park Art Fair at Grace Park, Akron Ohio


a one-day fine art and fine craft show and sale, in the heart of the
University Park district in downtown Akron.

Grace Park
Perkins/SR 59 & Prospect Streets
Akron, Ohio 44304

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NEW GOODIES

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Party Day!

Finally...it's Bead Soup party day! First I want to thank from Pretty Things for hosting this fantabulous bash. She put lots of infectious energy into this party and I think she will find a great payoff in all her work.

It seems as if I've been sitting on this piece I made with Laurel Stevens from Rue's Daftique wonderful collection of beads (still can't believe how lovely the toggle is!) forever! I created the necklace within a few days of receiving the package, not being able to wait. Several times I have gone over it, thinking maybe I should have been more creative, more funky, more....something! But in the end I decided to leave it right where it was at. I wanted to try and use almost every bead she sent and decided to add very little of my own. Laurel's mix had a wonderful timeless feel to them and I hope I did her beautiful work justice. So here's it is:


What she sent me...




And what I made:







And there you have it. Now I can't wait to stroll through all the other participant's blogs and see what kind of yummies they came up with. Over the next several days I suggest you do the same. It'll be fun! Here is a list of the other party goers.


1. Lori, Pretty Things
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas...You Are Here
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kabs Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading >From the Heart
13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Janeen 365
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Juli, Jul's Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights
72. Chas, One Woman's Haven
73. Chas, One Woman's Haven
74. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
75. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
76. Maire, Maire Dodd
77. Janet, Singing Woods
78. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
79. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels
80. Joann, Jo's Jewels
81. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
82. Mel, Kookie Designs
83. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
84. Dale, Flights of Fancy
85. Dee, Runako Designs

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Quick Tease

So very busy getting ready for the Upstage Artisan Alley show this weekend so I don't have time to linger. However I DO have time to post a little teaser for the unveiling of the Bead Soup Party which takes place Feb 10th. I keep wondering if I should do a last minute change. Hmmn....well here's the teaser...as is:

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Sunshine Award!

Well how cool is that!?!?! I just found that that my blog has been the recipient of the Sunshine Award! A big THANK YOU to Mommy Tyme for sending this award my way. Now I get to pass it on to my favorite blogs too! I love it!!!

The Sunshine Award is going to these wonderful blogs that I follow...and love:

http://bjwcreative.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloggingqueen.com/
http://nightowlcraftworks.blogspot.com/
http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com/
http://ambientgirldesigns.blogspot.com/
http://amongtheruinsjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://gilliauna.blogspot.com/
http://www.riverotterrustics.com/
http://www.wrightmade.blogspot.com/
http://bluebetween.blogspot.com/
http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/

and probably one of the most visually stimulating blogs I've come across: http://sophismpress.blogspot.com/


So there you go. Now once you have been notified of receiving the award, you need to complete the following:

Please pass this award on to your favorite bloggers! Here are the Rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post
2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers
3. Link the nominees within your post
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award

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2010 Happenings!

OK back to business at hand. I made a plan and scheduled a time to sit and catch up on a few JBird's Garden happenings because it all gets behind me so fast.

First thing is my first show of the year which will be Feb. 13th at the Upstage Artisan Alley in the Waterloo Arts District. This show will benefit a non-profit professional children's theatre group run by an all volunteer staff near Cleveland, Ohio. Anyone who lives nearby please stop in for some Valentine shopping and to support a great group!


I thought I might have to pull a double duty having also applied to another show the very same weekend. I had it all covered just in case, but found out today that I wasn't accepted to this one. I pretty much expected this as I am a new member to the organization that is part of putting this on and also because there are soooooooooo many jewelry vendors! It's fine...Upstage Artisan might be small...but it's mighty!

JBird's Garden also has several ads and booths in virtual shops for the month of February. One of my absolute favorites ''The Handmade Gift Guide" is having a Valentine's Day Sale beginning tomorrow Jan. 28th thru Feb 1st. Another really wonderful site Handmade Jewelry Designers Showcase will have an amazing showcase that I'm really excited about.

Other sites that JBird's Garden can be found on in the month of February include The Handmade Craft Show and On Fire For Handmade. I love all these sites and am so excited to be included among such amazing talent!


I've made some much needed purchases this month. It became clear to me right from the git-go that the black jewelry displays did my natural brass necklaces no favors! The brass almost totally disappears against the black velvet so they (the display stands) had to go! I felt the white busts to be too stark and clean for what I create so after some hunting I found some beautiful light beige ones that I think will work well.

I also purchased table risers because I found customers really having to bend in order to examine the fine detail in some of my pieces displayed on a standard height banquet table. I found these great bed-risers that offer a total of 3 different heights and are incredibly sturdy. Great find!!!



Aside from a much needed manual credit card machine the other big item I purchased was a collapsible light tent to take pictures. The frustration in trying to take decent pictures was making me crazy. The Cleveland winters offer very little sunlight (see previous post!) and I just can't seem to get the photos the way I want them with the few lamps that I have. This has yet to arrive...but I look forward to trying it out. Once I get it I will post pictures of new pieces created in the last couple of weeks. It isn't much but I have tried to stay busy.

And lastly please be sure to check back February 10th for the unveiling (gulp!) of the Bead Soup Party creation. I finished mine the first week I received the beautiful collection and haven't really felt the need to make any changes. Suddenly I find myself looking at it again...and again. Will I tear it apart and start all over again? Hmmmn....I have until February 1oth don't I?

Oh...here is a Valentine Heart that I particularly love. It can be found in my Etsy shop.



And a lovely ring created by none other than Miss Olivia. :)

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